The Best Man in Texas by Tanya Michaels Read Free Book Online Page A

got past the pinched smiles and barren apartment, Brooke Nichols got a lot more interesting. He had a sudden discordant image of Brooke in heavy eyeliner and a surprisingly appealing black leather skirt. He was appalled to findthat his gaze had slid downward to her denim-encased hips. In her eagerness to get to tonight’s show, she was walking with a noticeable bounce in her step.
    “So how long did you date the reverse snob?” he asked, jerking his head up. “Was it serious?”
    She was silent for a minute, and he wondered if she’d even heard the question. Or might at least be pretending not to have heard.
    Then she admitted over her shoulder, “Next to Giff, the most serious relationship I’ve ever had. And one of the worst mistakes I’ve ever made in my life.”
    He was intrigued, but figured he’d already pried enough. Her past affairs were really none of his business. Besides, they were coming up on a group of people that he realized actually represented a disorganized line on the sidewalk. Clusters of three and four people stood talking and laughing in the mottled illumination of streetlights and neon signs.
    “I take it we’re here?” he asked her.
    She turned and nodded, looking so happy that Jake felt bad for his buddy. Giff was missing out. From the flush in her cheeks and sparkle in her blue eyes to the hint of cleavage revealed by her red shirt, Brooke was undeniably sexy tonight. Which was completely wasted on him.
    “Thanks for being such a good sport,” he told her. “About having to come with me. I know plenty of women who would be ticked if their boyfriends stood them up because of work.”
    Brooke looked genuinely shocked. “I have nothing but respect for how hard Giff works. I know he inheritedmoney from his dad. Some people would have used that as an excuse to be lazy, but Giff would never do that. He’s the kind of man who will always provide for his family.”
    While Jake could admit he’d jumped to conclusions about Brooke possibly being social-climbing opportunist infatuated with Giff’s bank account, he couldn’t help noticing how fervent she sounded when she talked about Giff supporting a family. He supposed it was normal for a potential mother to want her future children to be well taken care of, but her tone seemed bizarrely intent. How much insecurity had she experienced during her own childhood?
    They blended into the free-form line, awaiting their turn to show ID and give their tickets to the broad-shouldered men at the door. His first glance at the interior bore out her earlier description that it was a hole-in-the-wall. The club—and he used the term generously—might only be a few miles away from the more popular bars over on Westheimer, like the Bull & Bear, Catbirds or Privé, but it was worlds removed from them in terms of atmosphere and polish.
    This place was characterized by dim lighting, a concrete floor and extremely limited seating. There were some stools at the bar and a few tall tables scattered throughout. Since a lot of people were crowded onto the dance floor or in line for a drink, he and Brooke were able to snag a two-person table to the left of the stage. An opening act was already playing. The music wasn’t remarkable, but the drums provided a strong rhythm for those dancing.
    Jake spoke loudly over the beat. “Can I get you something to drink?”
    “Whatever light beer they’ve got on draft is fine.” She gave him a wide smile, surprising him with a previously hidden dimple. “I tried a glass of wine here once and won’t be making that mistake again. I wouldn’t cook with that stuff.”
    By the time he’d returned with their beers, the opening band had finished its set and people in the crowd were beginning to chant for the headliners. The room was dark for a second, then a lone spotlight came up on a tall woman—her height boosted by the wickedly heeled boots she wore—with waist-length red hair. He wondered if she was the Red in the